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Picture Framing Magazine

My thoughts, my friend Nicole, and the CPF exam....a dialog.

Cathy Coggins

Cathy Coggins

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Kissimmee, Florida
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Needle Craft World
Okay, this could be a hot mess of a thread.

So read it carefully. Think out your responses before you post.

Okay, Nicole (Black Iris on the G) is one of bestest friend in the world. My comrade in arms, my complain at with phone a friend, and on SO many levels so NOT like me, but in heart my kindred. She has pink in her hair, I wear skirts below my knee, I am very conservative, she has tattoos. I like gold frames best, she like Dennis Mattheson. You get the pick.

But Golly she is an AMAZING human. We talk EVERYDAY, sometimes for hours, while making frames, doing bookwork, figuring out a taxcode for her or my state, telling amazing inspiring stories back and forth...a customer with cancer, a failed marriage, a great story, charitable giving.

She is my biggest fan, and I am her biggest fan, and each others advocates. There is my preface. I LOVE THIS GIRL. She could have a kidney if she needed it.



Well, PPFA, the CPF exam and Vegas. She is the reason I went to Vegas..."ya gotta go Cath.." It is amazing, you'll be inspired, it will help the business and we'll have a BLAST...and we DID!

I am the reason she took the CPF exam. I bugged her endlessly. We talked for hours and hours about it. She felt she didn't need it. It didn't mean enough to customers or even our peers. I agreed with her and argued it would, IF more people like us took it. I mean for hours we talked, we didn't always agree, but we ALWAYS saw each others side. (One of the biggest reasons I respect her so, she is SO very understanding). So we got the books, agreed not all, she also did not have 6 books. (Again thank you framing guardian angel) And I know I did not study enough. I can not say for sure with her.

I believe the error we both made, was thinking too much of our experiences and not text book knowledge. I went knowing I was a good framer and the confidence that THAT would be tested...I think Nic did too.

So, the point of this thread. There is OBVIOUSLY a lot of movement in the PPFA right now, anybody can sense that even without statistics to match. But, there is a divide still. Some that are even MORE NOT 'on board' with the PPFA. The amount of people stepping up and working is cool to see. The interest invigorating. And the OPEN HOUSE thing has been WELL timed to feed the curious ones.

What next?

Here's the thing with Nicole and many many others regarding the PPFA and the CPF exam (primarily the exam, although the PPFA is then vilified by default) and our industry. The test was something else...it scared the crude outta me. The first question, made me question myself...Nicole had a similar response. BUT, it inspired me to learn more. Nicole understands the test too, and the hard WORK that went into creating it. The viewpoint is that perhaps the test doesn't represent a wide enough cross section of us, all of us. Not just new framers, BUT well, someone who has been framing 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 years sit down...after working a decade or more ALONE, doing their best, with little outside help or validation, save the payment for services rendered by happy customers.
To some failing a test like that feels, yes just feels, like they have been a hack. Or even a bad framer.

Nicole called me today as she wanted to write a response letter to one of the framers who addressed her marked on question book, she wanted help with verbage. She wanted to express her concerns towards the exam being off-putting, toward new people but PRIMARILY the veterans, the people who have been pioneering, innovative and GREAT framers, who aren't 'on board' with the PPFA presently, but could make powerful knowledgeable assets.

I think the goal of this thread of mine is to open a dialog. I know that with Nicole and I and our endless conversations...many for HOURS about PPFA, she knows I respect her, her knowledge and her business. And that knowledge allows for an amazing exchange; where we argue our points, change each others scopes, and feel like we made a difference with each other.
There are SO many other framers out there that feel just like Nicole, and they aren't all wrong or right. Just as the the test CAN'T possible represent ALL of us. 6-7 questions addressed needlework, perhaps more but not many, to my recollection...but I still want it; even though I frame 99% needlework. I feel the knowledge I gain by taking it will affect my biz. But it was NOT very relevant to my business.

I think the flip side of this is true, the PPFA needs Nicole and people like her. To use all that energy towards making the present test even better than it is. To attract the people in our biz, that have been keeping it going for decades in their corner of the world, to make framing more important, more vital, more exciting, more relevant in Everytown, USA or the World. But for that to happen, perhaps...just perhaps...the test should be looked at again. With more of these excited people ON BOARD to make it a BALANCE of Challenging, Thought provoking questions, and a reason for ANY framer worth their salt to walk away from it, proud of themselves and what they have become a part of.

I sense the changes in the economy, the consumer outlook toward quality, the movement towards more...the PPFA and the exam CAN not just get swept up and away with this; but harness it, structure it and validate A LOT of small business owner ACROSS the world who are working very hard create, improvise and take care of...our clients treasures. So for that to happen this organization, the Professional Picture Framer's Association...has to DO and BE those words. Professionals, Picture Framers and Associating together towards our cause of taking care of the treasures we are entrusted with, and each other. That means dialog of listening and talking. Hearing and understanding. Acknowledging differences and working them out where we can, and sometimes disagreeing but able to shake hands on it, and work on it later after a coffee. The PPFA can add structure to our businesses all of ours those even though sometimes VASTLY different, and our industry.

So, can we differ but agree and help each other. I want Nicole Ohme to be not just a CPF but an MCPF. But there are countless other names that could make a list.
So, do you want so more help? :smile:
 
I have been puzzling on this thread. What I can't work out is that you seem to suggest that the CPF exam should be about real framing experience, and not relying on 'book learning'. But what if a framer's experience, all 30 years of it, isn't good experience, or poor framing practice? How would this framer know, if not by studying the texts?

When I started framing, I learned that the correct way to mount artwork was to put ATG tape around all four sides of the mat opening, and, carefully centering it, stick the mat to the artwork. No lie! I suspect that the framer that taught me may well still be doing the same thing elsewhere, teaching other clerks who aspire to be framers the same thing. What if I had never found out otherwise? Would my acceptable shop practice be correct, merely because 'that's how I learned it, so it must be right'?

Plainly, the answer to that question is 'no'. But what about when I learned that P90 was an acceptable tape to hinge art with? To the back of the mat? (That was the 'improved technique' that I learned after I learned that ATG on all 4 sides of the mat opening was a bad idea). So, even learning another technique is not the answer. (Hope that one deKooning print that I did that way never shows up again!)

Maybe it is just the way I am, but when I took the MCPF, I read what I could, and did what the most up-to-date texts said to do. And what I had been doing wasn't up to snuff. I confess that before my research, I didn't line canvases with Volara tape, because I didn't know about it. And I didn't know that framer's points should be put in loosely. I just didn't know. But I studied, and I learned and THEN I took the exam. And I passed. Which I might not have done if I had just done what I had been doing, CPF and all, for the previous 20 years.

I agree that the exam can be made better (just like my framing skills) and it is being worked on. As it has been. For about 25 years.
 
I agree with Ellen's thoughts.
Some framers have been in the business for 25 years, but have been doing the same thing all along. They don't have 25 years experience, they have one years experience repeated 25 times. Just because a framer has always used the same methods and materials for any given process, that doesn't necessarily make it right.

There are many aspects of framing that specific framers don't do, so the books help them learn those processes as well as increase their knowledge on topics they deal with every day. I know there have been many people in the past who have failed the exam an they place the blame squarely on the exam being shonky, which can be quite insulting to the people who spend a lot of their time voluntarily, improving the exam over time. I did the exam in 1991 and passed by studying the books. At that time the exam was probably not as refined as it is now and I'm sure that it will continue to be refined in the future.

When it's all boiled down, there is a list of recommended books to study to give each person the best chance of passing the CPF exam. Many people fail the exam the first time and many of those failures are due to framers relying on 'experience' and not studying the books. Many of those people were informed that they would need to study the books and not rely on their 'experience' but they did not heed that advice.

Studying the books with an open mind is essential.

Some people have boasted before the exam that they hadn't or weren't going to study the books. The outcome was that they failed. IMO it's not the best option to blame the exam for the result.

I'm very pleased that you have an open mind, Cathy and I'm certain that you will pass this exam in the future!
 
What Ellen said, plus this:

The purpose of any certification program is to establish that an individual has attained a level of knowledge and skill to work in any facility with only a modicum of training in the rudiments of how the business is run. This is not exclusive to picture framing.

It should be presumed that a CPF has the basic knowledge and skills to work in any frame shop any where.

There are a lot of framers who excel in one area and run successful businesses. They do excellent work in their area of specialization. This does not mean that they would be able to step into a shop like mine where we do a wide variety of framing. You must be a generalist to survive in my market. A CPF could step right into my shop.

We do a large amount of preservation framing of artwork and documents, but we also regularly frame needlework, clothing, collections, and some truly odd stuff. We also do a fair amount of decorative work, where preservation theoretically doesn't matter, but we use quality materials and techniques anyway. Today's dorm poster is tomorrow's collectible. (I do a fair amount of digital restoration of old dorm posters, as well as keep a conservator fairly busy, so have no doubt about this).

I think preservation knowledge is vital. If you make a mistake in any other aspect of framing, you can even go back to the beginning and start over. But if you haven't observed preservation techniques, this is not always possible. I am reminded of the medical dictum to "first do no harm."

So, to me the CPF designation means that an individual has the knowledge necessary to handle a wide variety of items safely. Even if they don't have experience with the technique, they will have the knowledge to say so and seek help. So much of what is important in framing is knowing what not to do.

It has been said many times before, but is worth saying again. Failing to pass the CPF exam is not a failure. It opens the door to greater knowledge. And I don't want to sound in any way discouraging, but passing the CPF is only the beginning of a life-long process of learning.

I spent a lot of time and energy taking classes and researching techniques--for years--before I ever studied and sat for the exam. Even so, If I had not recently read the recommended materials, I don't think I could have passed it. Materials and techniques seem to be evolving faster than publications can keep up with them. I really think if I stopped now, in 5 years my knowledge would be so out of date that I would be a danger to artwork!

Certification is not like a license; no one has to do it to work. It is a choice. Those who choose to do it want to have wide-ranging, generalist knowledge, with a heavy emphasis of preservation. They have a thirst for knowledge. There are also a lot of framers who share these attributes who choose not to seek certification.

Changing the exam to accommodate more framers on the face of it may seem like a good idea, but when you look at it closely, it seems like a bad idea to me. The exam establishes a baseline of knowledge.
 
Thank you for responding. I reread my OP, and I went on too much. Concise is a nuisance that eludes me; so my clarity was..well not clear. :shrug:

I certainly do NOT wish to dumb down the questions, or dilute preservation, or make the test just easier. I just don't want SO many good and GREAT framers to get left behind on this.
I suppose I am trying to convert everyone into the standardization, and want them to have a voice too; so long as all parties are heard and the industry is still made profoundly better.

This thread is not just about Nicole, but so many just like her. There are quite a few. And she just so happens to be willing to put her name and voice to what she feels. I guess I am being a bit of a diplomat. :smug:
 
I read you first post and decided to think a bit before responding.

I can't disagree with anything anyone has said.

The test isn't supposed to be "How good are you?" but more "How much do you know about things you don't usually do?"

It's a test of general knowledge and as such is constantly refined and improved to test general knowledge.

I am unclear what you think should be changed? Or how?

In your first post you said, "... OBVIOUSLY a lot of movement in the PPFA right now, anybody can sense that even without statistics to match ..." and I agree.
I don't really understand what's going on, but there "feels" like a lot of excitement and activity. I think a lot of it is new people like you getting involved.

We have much more to do and more of the "marginalized framers" (I think that's what you were implying) would be a big help.

Part of my minor frustration is that when someone asks for something (PPFA should ... or the test should ...) the part that comes after the "should" seems to be things we're already doing or trying to do. Or, I don't understand what they're asking for.

If you can tell us how, or help us overcome the objections, to attract "framers like Nicole" I'm all ears?!?!
 
The test is no diffident that taking a driving test at the DMV, your tested on a booklet they hand out, not on how good of a driver you are. She can not accept that, also, too bad neither of you had the correct books to start with.
 
I think that the key to being a great framer is knowing where to find the answers, not knowing all of the answers. Hey I took that test in 1991! Do you think that I remember it all? Not necessarily, but I know where to find those answers. Being an active member of PPFA, I know who to call when I have a question. Yup, I emailed Cliff with a question yesterday. Jim has helped me immensely over the years. Chris P. is always there to answer my mounting inquiries. Many of you have helped me be a success. Cathy, if I have a needlework question, I'll be sure to call you!

We need more framers that question! In our ever changing field we can't snooze. We have means of communication better than before. Thanks for keeping the fire burning! :thumb:


Susan
 
Cathy, I believe your observations are correct...

I think you are expressing that the CPF exam does not validate what most framers would learn in decades of practical back room experience, and that is true. But the CPF program is much more than just an exam, and its purpose quite the opposite of validating existing knowledge. The CPF exam is intended to confirm the acquisition of useful new framing knowledge , which framers do not acquire in routine framing, and which the CPF candidates did not possess before entering the CPF study program. The program is designed to add new knowledge, and taking the exam is not what makes framers feel good about themselves. Success with the learning process is what it's all about.

To some failing a test like that feels, yes just feels, like they have been a hack. Or even a bad framer.
Click to expand...
Yes, unfortunately. Some veteran framers ignore the advice to study - and there is plenty of advice to study. Nobody could possibly get into the CPF program without being begged to study. I posted this in direct response to Nicole on The G:
Years in the back room have little to do with knowledge and proficiency, and a newbie framer who studies dilligently can excel. Some framers make the same mistakes for years, simply because they never stumble upon a better way. My early mentor, a 30-year veteran framer, was among the worst framers I ever knew, but of course I did not realize that in 1988. An Australian once said that a 20-year framer could have 2 years' experience ten times over. He was right.
Click to expand...

When a veteran framer takes the CPF exam and expects to pass without studying, the reaction is often something like, "I've been framing for 20 years and the exam doesn't test what I know, so it must not be any good." Indeed, some who fail become so bitter that they try to discredit the CPF program at every opportunity. I'm sure a fair percentage of framers, who adamantly demean the exam and say they would never take it, have already tried and failed. They are not only missing a great learning opportunity, but they are also misunderstanding the whole purpose of the program.

It is truly unfortunate that PPFA can not find a way to make every CPF candidate feel good about taking the exam. But just as students flunk out of college because they do not see the value of studying, framers fail the CPF exam for the same reason. Those who have the fortitude to reconsider, seriously study, and try again usually succeed.

The CPF program is not about passing a test. It is about establishing a pattern of learning, which continues long after the exam.
 
Am writing this with my Certified Picture Framer certificate hanging behind the screen. Does that certificate look professional with the blue ribbon and silvern seal. Two real signatures in the corner. Why would a professional framer not want to try and obtain such a certificate, hang it proudly on the wall for customers to see and instill confidence. Part of studying, sitting and passing this exam is about correcting past practices and hopefully that the framer who passes will come out better on the other hand. I cannot say it better than Jim and I wasn't attempting to
 
Just an observation, it sure looks like a certain framing organization picked it up "on the cheap" to use as their policy. You don't have the right to ask and we sure don't have to tell you. Changes will come when :flypig:
 
John, if you seriously feel that way, you should write to Elaine with your questions. Staff & board members are on here sometimes, but most of the time it is just us members.
 
Cliff, Jim, Ellen and Susan and Greg. You have all added JUST what I wanted to see...thoughts and views with an open mind toward those who have taken umbrage, and offered your thoughts in a reasonable and understanding tone. FANTASTIC.

Things have been said over the last so many months with lots of emotion and the dialog was hurt because of that.

Thank you all for being so open to this thread. I suppose my idealistic ways want for everyone to see...well as I do. There goes the diplomat.:laughing: No, I mean, perhaps I am being naive in thinking folks would be understanding and sort this all out, from both sides. That is still my hope.
 
Cathy Coggins said:
No, I mean, perhaps I am being naive in thinking folks would be understanding and sort this all out, from both sides. That is still my hope.
Click to expand...

AND there are always two sides... both of which probably don't understand the whole viewpoint of the other.

[I have to tell you that I had this strong urge to write that there are always two sides- mine, which is correct, and the other one. But I didn't. I restrained myself....]
 
Cathy, I still don't quite understand what changes you were thinking about?

Ellen and her crew are undertaking EXACTLY the same kind of review that gets done periodically, where they review the questions in relation to the existing reading material, make sure the test is based on the most up to date reading material, and review comments from past exams for clarity.
The test is not supposed to be easy. It is supposed to test a broad knowledge of framing based on current publications.

I, and many others, want VERY much to include more framers and make this a kick a$$ organization.
You notice recent emails and notices about new consumer based articles and newsletter templates.
We are working a number of volunteer hours on consumer based things of all kinds, because many people said that was what they were looking for.

We're trying to provide everything we can to make this a no brainer for framers to join, so we can all row together and help each other.

It is an organization of individuals with different ideas and that takes some massaging, but we all have similar goals to grow our businesses and the industry.

I guess I don't get why the certification exam, which after all, is a test of "did you read the material," is a point of contention?
 
John Heltman said:
Just an observation, it sure looks like a certain framing organization picked it up "on the cheap" to use as their policy. You don't have the right to ask and we sure don't have to tell you. Changes will come when :flypig:
Click to expand...

Exactly what questions do you believe are being ignored or suppressed? Seriously, please ask away. Most of the certification board is here in the Framer's Corner and at least two members of the board of directors have posted in this thread already.

Please, fire away.
 
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